People who download the app from iTunes – an Android version will follow shortly – will select which of the five charities they wish to donate to. They also choose how much each snooze is worth in monetary terms – for example, 25p. When their snoozes have added up to £1, the app will text them asking if they want to donate that amount or allow more money to accrue.

Rachael Holtzberg, head of strategy at Chelsea Apps, said the charities were chosen because of their existing relationships with the app company. She said it had not set target for how much it hoped to raise for the charities.

"Chelsea Apps will not make any money from this," she said. "We will take a small slice of donations initially to cover some of the administrative and build costs, but the reality is that launching this app will cost us and help charities."

She encouraged charities interested in receiving donations from iCukoo to contact Chelsea Apps at icukoo@chelseaapps.com.

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: "Waking up and snoozing with iCukoo is a fun and simple way to kick-start every day, whilst making a donation to Parkinson’s UK at the same time."

Neil Swan, chief executive of Starlight, said: "This is a beautifully simple way to help charity and get up in time for breakfast too. We are encouraging all our supporters to download this cute little app and, occasionally, snooze a little to help grant a wish for our seriously and terminally ill children."